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Local rail services saved!

Following a yearlong local Liberal Democrat campaign, the Department for Transport (DfT) today announced that there will be no service reductions at any local stations, including Hornsey and Harringay.

The good news was also confirmed by Transport Minister Simon Burns MP in a meeting earlier today with Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone – who went to the DfT to make one last plea for no loss of local services.

Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Lib Dems launched the successful campaign last year, in response to the announcement of a new Thameslink rail franchise.

Services at Hornsey and Harringay were threatened with reductions, as newer, longer trains would not have been able to stop at the shorter platforms.

While the newer trains will still be in operation, the DfT has specified to franchise bidders that current services to Harringay and Hornsey must be maintained alongside the newer services.

The DfT also confirmed that, under the new franchise, evening and weekend services would now run into Moorgate as well as Kings Cross, and that Hornsey and Harringay stations will now be permanently staffed.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“This is fantastic news for everyone who uses Hornsey and Harringay stations. Service levels will be at least kept at current levels, and may even increase!

“Thank you to everyone who filled in our survey and took part in the campaign. A whopping 98% of you agreed with our campaign to oppose loss of services, and we made sure the DfT heard your voices by sending them the results.

“The combination of people power and the Lib Dems in Haringey has paid off again!

“The local Lib Dems and I will now turn our attention to the franchise bidders – and make sure that their bids provide us with the best services possible.”

2 thoughts on “Local rail services saved!”

It is not a case of no service reductions, we would like a commitment to service IMPROVEMENTS. We would like trains at consistent frequencies throughout the day.
The off-peak 10 minute service is just about acceptable, at the peaks these trains should be about every 7-8 minutes. We would like the ‘contra peak’ service restored between Finsbury Park and Moorgate, instead of trains running as ’empty stock ECS’ an this service could be offered from Alexandra palace. As Overground has shown, a decent service will attract passengers.
RP

Indeed. I will be writing to all the bidders in the next few weeks with requests for service improvements, and asking then to include the improvements in their final bid submissions. Have asked residents for their opinions and will include yours when I’m putting together the letters.